United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance closer cooperation in common research areas. ICIMOD is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning centre, serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan – working regionally for the benefit of the countries and communities of the HKH.
With the MoU in place, both parties will work together to build and share knowledge on the development, adaptation and application of methodologies and tools toward sustainable development pathways in mountains, particularly in mountain areas in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region. Considering the impacts of global change and sustainable development in mountain socioecological systems as their common multidisciplinary field of interest, both UNU-EHS and ICIMOD share substantial areas of mutual interest in topics such as climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, social vulnerability, ecosystem services, ecosystem-based approaches, Indigenous and local knowledge systems, resilience, displacement and migration, as well as sustainable development in mountain socioecological systems. Within the framework of this strengthened cooperation, UNU-EHS and ICIMOD will explore the establishment of a UNU hub on evidence-based adaptation and knowledge for resilient Himalayan uplands and basins.
“For many years, we have had a great collaboration with ICIMOD partners, which provides a solid basis for our continued cooperation in the time ahead. This MoU reaffirms the partnership and we look forward to the next phase of joint research, capacity-building and the sharing of knowledge, technical and scientific information,” Prof. Dr. Shen Xiaomeng, UNU Vice-Rector in Europe and Director of UNU-EHS said.
Both parties promise to work on shared common principles, complementary objectives and mutual interest in cooperating on research, scientific networking, and capacity development in order to create sustainable value and positive outcomes for mountain areas, mountain communities, and the conservation of mountain ecosystems going forward.
